Brush correcting device for toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A brush reforming apparatus for reforming a toothbrush includes a toothbrush supporting body  2  having a supporting portion  2   a  for supporting at least a bottom surface of a distal end of a toothbrush T, and one or two guiding groove portion(s) or one or two guiding elongated slot portion(s)  2   e   , 2   f  formed above the distal end of the toothbrush T supported by the supporting portion  2   a , and a belt-like binding body having a middle portion bent in a shape of a letter “U”, a letter “V” or a rectangular shaped letter “C” for being inserted into the one or two guiding groove portion(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot portion(s)  2   e   , 2   f . The brush reforming apparatus for reforming a toothbrush enables reform in correspondence with shapes of brush portions of various toothbrushes at an inexpensive manufacturing cost.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a brush reforming apparatus for atoothbrush, which reforms a deformed brush portion of a toothbrushhaving been used numerous times.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Using a toothbrush for numerous times causes plastic deformationof a brush portion, and not only will teeth be prevented from beingeffectively brushed, but in some cases may even effect one's gum whenthe brush portion is deformed to a point unbearable for use.Accordingly, the user purchases a new toothbrush whenever necessary.However, the bristles comprising a brush portion of a toothbrush aremostly molded with synthetic resin. Therefore, it is known that aplastic deformed brush portion can be reformed by heating the brushportion with boiled water (or hot water having a relatively hightemperature), and then cooling the brush portion with cold water, in acase when the brush portion is formed from synthetic resin.

[0003] An apparatus, which has a spring member binding substantially theentire body of a brush portion from the distal end of a toothbrush, anda fixing member for fixing the spring member with the distal end of thebrush portion, can be given as a conventional example of an apparatusfor reforming a brush portion of a toothbrush, as shown in JapaneseUtility Model Publication Nos.Sho58-152136, Sho59-38833, and Hei7-3361.Another apparatus, which has a reforming apparatus body for bindingsubstantially the entire body of a brush portion from the distal end ofa toothbrush, and an openable operating means being integrally formed tothe reforming apparatus body, is also shown in Japanese PatentPublication No.Hei7-289356. Accordingly, in each of the foregoingconventional reforming apparatuses, a brush portion of a toothbrush isbound by the spring member or the reforming apparatus body, the brushportion is then applied with boiled water or steeped into hot water, andthe brush portion is then cooled with cold water, thereby, the brushportion of the toothbrush is reformed back to a state similar to a stateprior of it's use.

[0004] Toothbrushes, meanwhile, exist in a vast variety of shapes andsizes, and various toothbrushes have been developed with considerationof usage by adults and children, different preferences of use, differentbrushing performance, etc. More particularly, the use of electrictoothbrushes has spread in recent years.

[0005] Nevertheless, according to each of the above-describedconventional reforming apparatuses (brush reforming apparatuses for atoothbrush), since the spring member or the reforming apparatus body forbinding the brush portion of the toothbrush are formed in a singlepredetermined shape, the spring member or the reforming apparatus bodyrequires preparation of a reform apparatus for each correspondingtoothbrush in order to be used upon various brush portions oftoothbrushes. That is, a vast variety of reforming apparatusescorresponding to every each shape of a toothbrush, size or length of abrush portion are required to be manufactured. Consequently, an increasein manufacturing cost is unavoidable, and a vast variety of reformingapparatuses are required to be purchased even for an average family of 3or 4 members.

[0006] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to solve theforegoing problems by providing a brush reforming apparatus for atoothbrush, which is able to reform in correspondence with the sizes ofthe brush portions for a vast variety of toothbrushes at an inexpensivemanufacture cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The first invention of this application (invention described inclaim 1) is a brush reforming apparatus for a toothbrush comprising: atoothbrush supporting body having; a supporting portion supporting atleast a bottom surface of a distal end of a toothbrush; and one or twoguiding groove portion(s) or one or two guiding elongated slot(s) beingformed above the distal end of the toothbrush supported by thesupporting portion; and a binding body having a belt-like shape, thebinding body being inserted through the one or two guiding grooveportion(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s), and the bindingbody being bent at a center of the binding body into a U letter, a Vletter, or a rectangular C letter shape. According to the firstinvention, a distal end of a toothbrush is supported by a supportingportion formed to a toothbrush supporting body, and a binding body ismoved in a direction toward the distal end of the toothbrush or in adirection opposite from the distal end of the toothbrush, thereby, abrush portion of a toothbrush is bound by the binding body. Accordingly,the first invention can bind a brush with extreme ease and quickness,and provide binding whether a brush portion of a toothbrush is long orshort. In a state where a brush is bound by the toothbrush reformingapparatus, a method, for example, in which the toothbrush reformingapparatus is applied with boiled water or steeped into hot water, andthen cooled by cold water or the like, allows the brush to be reformedinto an ideal state.

[0008] The second invention (invention described in claim 2) is a brushreforming apparatus for a toothbrush comprising: a toothbrush supportingbody having; one supporting portion supporting at least a bottom surfaceof a distal end of a toothbrush; other supporting portion being formedopposite to a position where the one supporting portion is formed, theother supporting portion supporting at least the bottom surface of thedistal end of the toothbrush, and the other supporting portionsupporting from at a position above or below a supporting position ofthe one supporting portion; and one or two guiding groove portion(s) orone or two guiding elongated slot(s) being formed between the onesupporting portion and the other supporting portion, and being formedabove the distal end of the toothbrush supported by the one supportingportion or the other supporting portion; and an endless binding memberhaving a belt-like shape and being inserted through the one or twoguiding groove portion(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s).According to the second invention, a toothbrush supporting body isformed with one supporting portion for supporting a distal end of atoothbrush and another supporting portion also for supporting the distalend of the toothbrush, the one supporting portion and the othersupporting portion are formed different in terms of the height forproviding support, and a belt-like endless binding body is provided as acomponent of the invention, thereby, the second invention is not onlyable to reform a brush portion of various length as in the firstinvention, but is also able to reform a brush portion having a brush(bristles) of various height, in which the distal end of a toothbrush issupported by selecting either the one supporting portion or the othersupporting portion for providing secure reformation.

[0009] The third invention (invention described in claim 3) is a brushreforming apparatus for a toothbrush according to the first or secondinvention, wherein the toothbrush supporting body has a supportingmember formed with a supporting portion supporting at least a bottomsurface of a distal end of the toothbrush, and a binding body supportingmember being attachable to the supporting member while having the one ortwo guiding groove portion(s) or the one or two guiding elongatedslot(s) formed thereto; and wherein the supporting member and thebinding body supporting member are attached variably and adjustably forarranging a position of a supporting portion formed in the supportingmember and a position of the one or two guiding groove portion(s) or theone or two guiding elongated slot(s) separate from or proximate to eachother. According to the third invention, a toothbrush supporting body,which has a supporting member and a binding body supporting member beingseparated from each other, is formed to be variably adjustable byarranging a supporting portion of the supporting member proximal to ordistal to one or two guiding groove portions or a guiding elongatedslot, thereby, as in the same manner as the second invention, the thirdinvention is also able to reform a brush portion having a brush(bristles) of various height, in which the distal end of a toothbrush issupported by selecting either the one supporting portion or the othersupporting portion for providing secure reformation.

[0010] The fourth invention (invention described in claim 4) is a brushreforming apparatus for a toothbrush comprising: a toothbrush supportingbody having; a supporting portion having a plane shape molded into asubstantially V letter shape, the supporting portion having an open sidethereof being closable, the supporting portion supporting a bottomsurface of a distal end of a toothbrush during a closed state; oneguiding groove portion or one guiding elongated slot formed on one sideof the open side; other guiding groove portion or other guidingelongated slot formed on the other side of the open side; and a bindingbody having a belt-like shape, the binding body being bent at a centerthereof into an arc-like shape; the binding body having a midsection onone end thereof for insertion through the one guiding groove portion orthe one guiding elongated slot; and the binding body having a midsectionon the other end thereof for insertion through the other guiding grooveportion or the other guiding elongated slot. According to the fourthinvention, a distal end of a toothbrush is inserted from an open side ofan opened toothbrush supporting body; the opened side of the toothbrushsupporting body is then closed, and a belt-like binding body is thenoperated to a direction opposite from the distal end of the toothbrush,thereby, a brush (bristles) of the toothbrush can be bound. Accordingly,as in the same manner as the first invention, this fourth invention canalso provide secure binding of a brush.

[0011] The fifth invention (invention described in claim 5) is a brushreforming apparatus for a toothbrush according to the first, second,third, or fourth invention, wherein the one or two guiding groove(s) orthe one or two guiding elongated slot(s) has or have an arc-like orwave-like shape in which the binding body or the endless binding body isinserted therethrough, or the one or two guiding groove(s) or the one ortwo guiding elongated slot(s) has a protrusion formed at a wall thereofor the toothbrush supporting body has a horizontal rod formed at a frontsurface thereof and the binding body or the endless binding body has arecessed groove or an elongated slot formed thereto to allow insertionof the protrusion or the horizontal rod through the recessed groove orthe elongated slot.

[0012] According to the fifth invention, the one or two guidinggroove(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s) has or have anarc-like or wave-like shape in which the binding body or the endlessbinding body is inserted therethrough, or the one or two guidinggroove(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s) has a protrusionformed at a wall thereof or the toothbrush supporting body has ahorizontal rod formed at a front surface thereof and the binding body orthe endless binding body has a recessed groove or an elongated slotformed thereto to allow insertion of the protrusion or the horizontalrod through the recessed groove or the elongated slot, thereby, thefifth invention prevents the bristles of a brush from being caught intothe guiding groove or the guiding elongated slot in operating with thebinding body or the endless binding body and provide secure reformation.

[0013] The sixth invention (invention described in claim 6) is a brushreforming apparatus for a toothbrush comprising: a binding body or anendless binding body having a belt-like shape, and a midsection bent inan arc-like shape to form an arc-like portion; a supporting portionbeing fixed proximate to the arc-like portion of the binding body or theendless binding body, and supporting at least a bottom surface of adistal end of a toothbrush; and a moving member being movable in adirection toward the supporting portion or a direction opposite from thesupporting portion while being guided by the binding body or the endlessbinding body, the moving member being formed with an elongated slot or agroove portion for inserting the binding body or the endless bindingbody therethrough. According to the sixth invention, a moving membermoves in association with the binding body for binding the brush;accordingly, the thus structured invention can also provide securebinding of a brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the first embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrush reformingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state prior to binding of abrush portion of a toothbrush.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bound state of a brushportion.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the second embodiment.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a brush supporting body froma rear side.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a view showing a method of using the toothbrushreforming apparatus shown in FIG. 5, in which (A) is a perspective viewshowing a brush portion of a toothbrush inserted into a binding body,(B) is a right side view showing a state prior to moving of a toothbrushsupporting body, and (C) is a perspective view showing a state after abinding body has been drawn subsequent to the moving of the toothbrushsupporting body.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the third embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a rear view of the toothbrush reforming apparatus shownin FIG. 8.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the toothbrush reformingapparatus of the fourth embodiment.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a support position-adjustingmember.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a binding body supportingmember and a binding body.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a view showing a toothbrush reforming apparatus of thefifth embodiment and a varied example thereof, in which (A) is anexploded perspective view of the toothbrush reforming apparatus of thefifth embodiment, (B) is a right side view showing an attached state ofa support position-adjusting member, (C) is a right side view showinganother toothbrush reforming apparatus attached with a supportposition-adjusting member shown in (A).

[0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the sixth embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A.

[0029]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a varied example of thetoothbrush reforming apparatus shown in FIG. 14.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the seventh embodiment.

[0031]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a binding body.

[0032]FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a moving member.

[0033]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the eighth embodiment.

[0034]FIG. 21 is a front view of the toothbrush reforming apparatusshown in FIG. 20.

[0035]FIG. 22 is a rear view of the toothbrush reforming apparatus shownin FIG. 20.

[0036]FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a moving member.

[0037]FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a method of using thetoothbrush reforming apparatus shown in FIG. 20.

[0038]FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a toothbrush reformingapparatus of the ninth embodiment.

[0039]FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state prior to the use ofthe toothbrush reforming apparatus shown in FIG. 25.

[0040]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a toothbrush reforming apparatusof the tenth embodiment.

[0041]FIG. 28 is a exploded perspective view of a toothbrush supportingbody comprising the toothbrush reforming apparatus shown in FIG. 27.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Plural embodiments regarding this invention will hereinafter beexplained with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment of abrush reforming apparatus 1 for a toothbrush will first be explained.

[0043] The brush reforming apparatus for a toothbrush 1 is comprised ofa toothbrush supporting body 2 and a binding body 3, as shown in FIG. 1.The toothbrush supporting body 2 is integrally molded with syntheticresin, wood, hard-rubber or metal, and has a supporting portion 2 awhose top surface serves as a supporting face for supporting the bottomsurface of a brush portion B of a toothbrush T, and a left erect portion2 b and a right erect portion 2 c erected on both left and right side ofthe supporting portion 2 a. That is, in the brush reforming apparatus 1of the first embodiment, the supporting portion 2 a, the left erectportion 2 b and the right erect portion 2 c form an insertion space forinserting the brush portion B formed on a distal end of the toothbrushT, as shown in FIG. 2. A binding body supporting portion 2 d having aplane shape formed as a rectangular C letter shape is formed on a upperportion of the brush reforming apparatus 1; a left guiding elongatedslot 2 e is formed on a left side of an upper portion of a distal end ofan inserted brush portion B; and a right guiding elongated slot 2 f isformed on a right side of the upper portion of a distal end of aninserted brush portion B. The binding body supporting portion 2 d has aleft guiding groove portion 2 g formed at an inner side thereof in frontof the left guiding elongated slot 2 e, and a right guiding grooveportion 2 h formed at an inner side thereof in front of the rightguiding elongated slot 2 f. It is now to be noted that the left guidingelongated slot 2 e and the right guiding elongated slot 2 f are inclinedtoward each other to form a separated upside down V letter-like shape,and that the left guiding groove portion 2 g and the right guidinggroove portion 2 h also form a separated upside down V letter-like shapein correspondence to the left guiding elongated slot 2 e and the rightguiding elongated slot 2 f.

[0044] Further, in the brush reforming apparatus 1, the binding body 3having a belt-like form is inserted through the left guiding elongatedslot 2 e, the left guiding groove portion 2 g, the right guidingelongated slot 2 f and the right guiding groove portion 2 h. The bindingbody 3 is molded into a belt-like form with synthetic resin, wood, hardrubber or metal; both ends of the binding body 3 are secured to eachother with a ring-like metal fitting 4; an arc-like portion 3 a with abent arc-like shape is formed on an opposite side of the metal fitting4; and a pressing portion 3 b for pressing an upper surface of thetoothbrush T with a finger when operating the binding portion 3 isformed at a bottom end of the arc portion 3 a.

[0045] According to the brush reforming apparatus 1 of the firstembodiment, in a state where the binding body 3 is projected toward thefront side as shown in FIG. 3, the brush portion B of the toothbrush Tis inserted through the binding body 3, and the binding body 3 havingthe brush portion B inserted therethrough is then either inserted intothe insertion space in a manner placed upon the supporting portion 2 aof the supporting portion 2 a, or has one end thereof pulled in adirection toward the distal end of the brush B by being guided by theleft guiding elongated slot 2 e along with the left guiding grooveportion 2 g and the right guiding elongated slot 2 f along with theright guiding groove portion 2 h, thereby, the brush B1 of the brushportion B is bound at the other end of the binding body 3.

[0046] Accordingly, in such state, a plastic deformed brush B1 issteeped into boiled water or relatively hot water and is then cooled (orreturned to normal temperature) with cold water to be reformed into astate similar to an original state thereof.

[0047] Consequently, with the brush reforming apparatus 1 of the firstembodiment, the brush B1 of the brush portion B of the toothbrush T canbe bound easily by operating the binding body 3 in the above-describedmanner. More particularly, according to the brush reforming apparatus 1,the binding body 3 can securely bind the brush B1 whether the length ofthe brush portion B1 is long or short owing to the belt-like structurethereof.

[0048] Next, a second embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 10 for atoothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The brush reforming apparatus 10 is comprised of a toothbrush supportingbody 11 and the binding body 3, as shown in FIG. 5. Unlike the brushreforming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the brush reformingapparatus 10 has a characteristic of not having a left erect portion 2 band a right erect portion 2 c. That is, the toothbrush supporting body11 is comprised of a supporting portion 11 a for supporting the brushportion B of the toothbrush T, a rear side erect portion 11 b beingerect upward from a rear side of the supporting portion 11 a, and abinding body supporting portion 11 c formed at an top end of the rearside erect portion 11 b. The binding body supporting portion 11 c isformed of a left elongated slot 11 d and a right elongated slot 11 e forguiding an insertion of the binding body 3, a left guiding grooveportion 11 f, and a right guiding groove portion 11 g, as shown in FIG.6. It is now to be noted that the description of the binding body 3shall be omitted since the binding body 3 has the same structure as thatof the binding body 3 of the first embodiment.

[0049] The brush reforming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, thebrush portion B of the toothbrush T is inserted into the binding body 3from below in a state where the binding body 3 is pulled toward thefront as shown in FIG. 7(A), and the brush B1 is then positioned insidethe binding body 1, and then either the toothbrush supporting body 11 ismoved in an arrow direction or the binding body 3 is moved in anopposite direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 7(B). Subsequently, thebinding body 3 is pulled in an arrow direction as shown in FIG. 7(C).With such operation, the binding body 3 and the toothbrush supportingbody 11 can easily bind the plastic deformed brush B1. Moreparticularly, the brush reforming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment,unlike the brush reforming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, isformed without the left erect portion 2 b or the right erect portion 2c, and the supporting portion 11 a thereof is open on both sides;therefore, the brush reforming apparatus 10 can securely bind the brusheven when the brush portion of the toothbrush is wider than thesupporting portion 11 a.

[0050] Next, a third embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 20 for atoothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The brush reforming apparatus 20 is comprised of a toothbrush supportingbody 21 and a belt-like binding body 22, as shown in FIG. 8. Thetoothbrush supporting body 21 is comprised of a supporting member 23formed with integrally molded synthetic resin, wood, hard rubber, ormetal, and a binding body supporting member 24 coupled to the supportingmember 23. The supporting member 23 has a supporting portion 23 a forsupporting a brush portion of a toothbrush, a left erect portion 23 berected upward from a left end of the supporting portion 23, and a righterect portion 23 c erected upward from a right end of the supportingportion 23 a. A left protrusion portion 23 d is formed at an inner sideof an top end of the left erect portion 23 b and a right protrusionportion 23 c is formed at an inner side of an top end of the right erectportion 23 c, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0051] The binding body supporting member 24 has a plane shape thereofmolded into a substantially rectangular C letter shape as shown in FIG.8, and is comprised of a left opposing portion 24 a opposing the lefterect portion 23 b formed in the supporting member 23, a right opposingportion 24 b opposing the right erect portion 23 c, a rear side portion24 c coupled to the left opposing portion 24 a on one side and coupledto the right opposing portion 24 b on the other side. As shown in FIG.9, three guide rails 24 d, 24 e, 24 f, which allow the left protrusionportion 23 d to be selectively inserted therethrough, are formed at anouter side of the left opposing portion 24 a, and three guide rails 24g, 24 h, 24 i, which allow the right protrusion portion 24 d to beselectively inserted therethrough, are formed at an outer side of theright opposing portion 24 b. As shown in FIG. 9, a left guidingelongated slot 24 j for insertion of a binding body 22 is formed at aleft side of the rear side portion 24 c of the binding body supportingmember 24, and a right guiding elongated slot 24 k for insertion of thebinding body 22 is formed at a right side of the rear side portion 24 cof the binding body supporting member 24. The left elongated slot 24 jand the right elongated slot 24 k form a separated upside down Vletter-like shape as in the same manner as the left elongated slot 2 eand the right elongated slot 2 f of the brush reforming apparatus 1 ofthe first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a left guiding groove portion241 corresponding to the left elongated slot 2 e is formed at an innerside of the left opposing portion 24 a, and a right guiding grooveportion 24 m corresponding to the right elongated slot e is formed at aninner side of the right opposing portion 24 b. The binding body 22 isinserted through the left guiding elongated slot 24 j, the left guidinggroove portion 241, the right guiding elongated slot 24 k and the rightguiding groove portion 24 m. It is now to be noted that the descriptionof the binding body 22 shall be omitted since the binding body 22 hasthe same structure as that of the binding body 3 of the brush reformingapparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

[0052] In the brush reforming apparatus 20 of the third embodiment, thetoothbrush supporting body 21 comprised of the supporting member 23 andthe binding body supporting member 24 enables the left protrusionportion 23 d to be selectively guided and inserted through the threeguide rails 24 d, 24 e, 24 f formed at the left opposing portion 24 a ofthe binding body supporting member 24, and the right protrusion portion24 d to be selectively guided and inserted through the three guide rails24 g, 24 h, 24 i formed at the right opposing portion 24 b of thebinding body supporting member 24. With such selective operation, theheight of the supporting portion 23 a formed at the supporting member 23and the binding body 22 can be adjusted. Accordingly, in the brushreforming apparatus 20 of the third embodiment, a brush can be bound incorrespondence to the toothbrush regardless of the length of the brushformed at the brush portion.

[0053] In the brush reforming apparatus 20 of the third embodiment, theposition for attaching the supporting member 23 and the binding bodysupporting member 24 can be variably adjustable (the position of thebinding body 22 being vertically adjustable) by forming the protrusionportion 23 e, 23 d to the supporting member 23 and forming the guiderails 24 d, 24 e, 24 f, 24 g, 24 h, 24 i to the binding body supportingmember 24. Nevertheless, the protrusion portions can be formed to bothsides of the supporting member and the guide rails can be formed to thebinding body supporting member for other embodiments as well, and thenumber of the guide rails is not limited to three as in the brushreforming apparatus 20 of the third embodiment, but also can be, forexample, two rails, or four or more rails as well.

[0054] Next, a fourth embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 30 for atoothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The brush reforming apparatus 30 of this embodiment is comprised of asupport position-adjusting member 31, a binding body supporting member32, and a binding body 33, as shown in FIG. 10. In the brush reformingapparatus 30 of this embodiment, the support position-adjusting member31 and the binding body supporting member 32 comprise a toothbrushsupporting body for this invention. The support position-adjustingmember 31 serves to support a bottom surface of a distal end of atoothbrush T (described afterwards), and is molded into a rectangularparallelepiped-like shape, in which three of the guide grooves 31 a to31 f are formed on both the left and right side of the supportposition-adjusting member 31. The binding body supporting member 32 iscomprised of a left panel portion 32 a, a right panel portion 32 bfacing the left panel portion 32 a, and a binding body supportingportion 32 c continuous with an upper edge of the left panel portion 32a and an upper edge of the right panel portion 32 b, as shown in FIG.12. A left bent portion 32 d for being inserted through one of the threeguide grooves 31 a, 31 b, 31 c is formed at a lower end of the leftpanel portion 32 a, and a right bent portion 32 e for being insertedthrough one of the three guide grooves 31 d, 31 e, 31 f is formed at alower end of the right panel portion 32 b. The binding body supportingportion 32 c has a plane shape thereof molded into a substantiallyrectangular C letter shape, a rear side thereof formed with twoelongated slots (not shown) for inserting therethrough the bindingmember 33, and an inner front side thereof formed with a left guidingportion 32 f and a right guiding portion 32 g in the same manner as thatof the toothbrush supporting body 2 comprising the brush reformingapparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

[0055] According to the tooth reforming apparatus 30 of the fourthembodiment, since the support position of the support position-adjustingmember 31 for the binding body supporting member 32 is adjustable, thetooth reforming apparatus 30 can securely bind a brush of a toothbrushhaving a high height between a bottom surface of the brush portion and atop end of the brush as well as a brush of a tooth brush having a lowheight between a bottom surface of the brush portion and a top end ofthe brush.

[0056] In the toothbrush reforming apparatus 30 of the fourthembodiment, the toothbrush supporting body of this invention comprisedwith the support position-adjusting member 31 and the binding bodysupporting member 32 is provided as a means to adjust the supportposition of a brush portion in accordance with the toothbrush to beused. However, a structure of a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 (A)can also be chosen as a means for adjusting the support position of atoothbrush according to circumstance.

[0057] That is, a toothbrush reforming apparatus 40 of the fifthembodiment is comprised of a toothbrush supporting body 41, a bindingbody 42, and a support position-adjusting member 43 for attachment tothe toothbrush supporting body 41, as shown in FIG. 13(A). Thetoothbrush supporting body 41 has a structure substantially the same asthat of the toothbrush supporting body 2 comprising the toothbrushreforming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and an attachment piece41 b formed at a rear side of a supporting portion 41 a and formedslightly lower than a top surface of the supporting portion 41 a (theconstitutions other than the attachment piece 41 b are the same as thoseof the toothbrush reforming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment).Meanwhile, the support position-adjusting member 43 has a side thereofmolded into a rectangular C letter shape, and is comprised of: onesupporting surface 43 a supporting a brush portion of a toothbrush andserving as a top surface (serving as a bottom surface when turnedupside-down as described afterwards) of the support position-adjustingmember 43; one supporting panel portions 43 b; a downward extendingportion 43 c extending downward from a proximal end of the onesupporting panel portion 43 b; and other supporting panel portion 43 dformed below the one supporting panel portions 43 b, molded with thesame width as the one supporting panel portion 43 b, and molded with athickness thinner than that of the one supporting panel portion 43 b. Aninsertion space is formed with a size substantially the same as thethickness of the supporting portion 41 a of the toothbrush supportingbody 41 and the thickness of the attachment piece 41 b, and is formedbetween the one supporting panel portion 43 b and the other supportingpanel portion 43 d. It is now to be noted that a bottom surface of theother supporting panel portion 43 d serves as the other supportingsurfaces (numeral abbreviated) when the support position-adjustingmember 43 is turned upside-down as described afterwards.

[0058] Therefore, according to the brush reforming apparatus 40 of thefifth embodiment, the surface for supporting the brush portion of thetoothbrush can be positioned higher than the top surface of thesupporting portion 41 a by attaching the support position-adjustingmember 43 to the toothbrush supporting body 41 in a manner where the onesupporting surface 43 a is arranged as the top surface of the supportposition-adjusting member 43, as shown in FIG. 13(B). On the other hand,the brush portion of the toothbrush can be supported at a surface higherthan the top surface of the supporting portion 41 a and lower comparedto when the support position-adjusting member 43 is attached to thetoothbrush supporting body 41 in a manner where the one supportingsurface 43 a is arranged as the top surface of the supportposition-adjusting member 43. Further, the support position-adjustingmember 43 can be attached to the attachment piece 41 b when the supportposition-adjusting member 43 is unnecessary for use. This prevents lossof the support position-adjusting member 43. It is now to be noted thatthe support position-adjusting member 43 can also be attached to thebrush reforming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.13(C). In such case, an attachment piece 11 h is to be formed on theopposite side of the supporting portion 11 a of the brush reformingapparatus 10, and the support position-adjusting member 43 is to beattached to the attachment piece 11 h when not required for use. Thisstructure also allows support position adjustment of a brush portion fora toothbrush having different height and enables easy and secure bindingof the bristles.

[0059] Next, a sixth embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 50 for atoothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The brush reforming apparatus 50 of the sixth embodiment has acharacteristic of being capable of supporting the brush portion of atoothbrush not only from a front side but also from a rear side. Thebrush reforming apparatus 50 has a binding body supporting body 51 andan endless binding body 52, as shown in FIG. 14. The toothbrushsupporting body 51 is integrally molded with synthetic resin, wood, hardrubber, or metal, and is comprised of one supporting portion 5 la formedat a front side thereof for supporting a brush portion, other supportingportion 51 b formed on the opposite side (rear side) of the supportingportion 51 a and formed with a top surface being arranged slightly belowthe supporting portion 51 a, an erect portion 51 c erected upward andformed integral with a proximal end of the supporting portion 51 a at afront side thereof and integral with a proximal end of the supportingportion 51 b at a rear side thereof, and a binding body supportingportion 51 d formed on a top end of the erect portion 51 c. The bindingbody supporting portion 51 d has a plane shape molded as a substantiallyH-letter shape, has a first guiding panel portion 51 d formed at afront-left side thereof, a second guiding panel portion 51 e formed at afront-right side thereof and faced against the first guiding panelportion 51 d, a third guiding panel portion 51 g formed at a rear-leftside thereof, a fourth guiding panel portion 51 h formed at a rear-rightside thereof and faced against the third guiding panel portion 51 g, andhas a block portion (numeral abbreviated) formed at the proximal ends ofthe first guiding panel portion 51 e to the fourth guiding panel portion51 h.

[0060] The block portion has a left elongated slot 51 i and a rightelongated slot 51 j formed thereto as shown in FIG. 15, in which theleft elongated slot 51 i and the right elongated slot 51 j form asubstantially upside-down V letter shape becoming gradually separatedfurther downward. A first guiding groove portion 51 k is formed at aninner side of the first guiding panel portion 51 e, a second guidinggroove portion 51 l is formed at an inner side of the second guidingpanel portion 51 f, a third guiding groove portion 51 m is formed at aninner side of the third guiding panel portion 51 g, and a fourth guidinggroove portion (not shown) is formed at an inner side of the fourthpanel portion 51 h, as shown in FIG. 14. The endless binding body 52, asshown in FIG. 14, is formed from a belt member (not shown), which ismolded into a belt-like shape and welded at both ends. The endlessbinding body 52 is inserted through the left guiding elongated slot 51i, the first guiding groove portion 51 k, the right guiding elongatedslot 51 j, the second guiding groove portion 511, the right guidingelongated slot 51 j, a fifth guiding groove portion (not shown), and theguiding groove portion 51 m, and allows the toothbrush supporting body51 to move in a frontward direction as well as a rearward direction. Itis now to be noted that the front side and the rear side of the endlessbinding body 52 are both bent into an arc-like shape and have a pressingportion 52 a, 52 b formed at a lower end, respectively.

[0061] Therefore, according to the toothbrush reforming apparatus 50 ofthe sixth embodiment, the brush portion of a toothbrush can be supportedat the top surface of the one supporting portion 51 a to bind the brushof the brush portion at the front side of the endless binding body 52,and the brush portion of a toothbrush can also be supported at the topsurface of the other supporting portion 51 b to bind the brush of thebrush portion at the rear side of the endless binding body 52.Accordingly, the toothbrush reforming apparatus 50 of the sixthembodiment is capable of reforming regardless of the width of the brushportion of the toothbrush since erect portion 2 b, 2 c as in thetoothbrush reforming apparatus of the first embodiment is not formedthereto, and is also capable of reforming a variety of toothbrushes byusing the supporting portion 51 a when the length (height) of the brushis short and using the other supporting portion 51 b when the length(height) of the brush is long. It is now to be noted that the toothbrushreforming apparatus 50 of the sixth embodiment can be applied to afurther variety of toothbrushes by using the support position-adjustingmember 43. According to the toothbrush reforming apparatus 50 of thesixth embodiment, the toothbrush supporting body 51 has the leftelongated slot 51 i and the right elongated slot 51 j formed thereto, inwhich the endless binding body 52 is inserted through the left elongatedslot 51 i and the right elongated slot 51 j. However, the toothbrushsupporting body 51 can have a left elongated slot 51 p and a rightelongated slot 51 q formed thereto, in which the endless binding body 52is inserted through the left elongated slot 51 p and the right elongatedslot 51 q. In such case, the left elongated slot 51 p and the rightelongated slot 51 q have a check claw 51 r, 51 s formed at an upper endof an inner wall thereof for preventing the inserted endless bindingbody 52 from dislodgement. With such structure, the endless binding body52 can be engaged with ease.

[0062] Next, a seventh embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 60 fora toothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The brush reforming apparatus 60 of the seventh embodiment is comprisedof a binding portion 61 molded into a belt-like shape, a supportingportion 62 for supporting a bottom surface of a brush portion of atoothbrush, and a moving member 63, as shown in FIG. 17. The bindingportion 61 is a synthetic resin molded into a substantially U lettershape or a V letter shape, and has three recesses 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, 61e, 61 f, 61 g formed on each opposing side thereof, as shown in FIG. 18.The binding portion 61 has an arc-like portion 61 h bent into an arcshape at a front side thereof, and is opened at a rear side thereof. Thebinding portion 61 has a narrow-width portion 61 i formed at amidsection thereof for detachment from the moving member 63 (describedafterwards).

[0063] In the toothbrush reforming apparatus 60, a left supportingportion 64 and a right supporting portion 65 arranged facing the leftsupporting portion 64 are formed at a midsection proximal to thearc-like portion 61 h of the binding portion 61. Further, in thetoothbrush reforming apparatus 60, the left supporting portion 64 andthe right supporting portion 65 forms the supporting portion 62. Theleft supporting portion 64 is comprised of a left downward extendingportion 64 a having a top end thereof extending downward from a bottomsurface of the midsection of the binding portion 61, and a leftsupporting panel portion 64 b bent substantially perpendicular to abottom end of the left downward extending portion 64 a for supportingthe brush portion. The right supporting portion 65 is formedsymmetrically to the left supporting portion, and is comprised of aright downward extending portion 65 a having a top end thereof extendingdownward from a bottom surface of the midsection of the binding portion61, and a right supporting panel portion 65 b bent substantiallyperpendicular to a bottom end of the right downward extending portion 65a for supporting the brush portion. It is now to be noted that a tip ofthe left supporting panel portion 64 b and a tip of the right supportingpanel portion 65 b are slightly spaced to enable widening in aleft-right direction in correspondence to widening of the opposingmidsection of the binding body 61.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 19, the moving member 63 is molded into a planarshape, and has an elongated slot 63 a for insertion of one side of thebinding body 61 at a left side thereof, and a groove portion 63 b withan opening (numeral abbreviated) having a width substantially the sameas that of the narrow-width portion 61 i of the binding body 61 at aright side thereof. It is now to be noted that the length of both theelongated slot 63 a and the groove portion 63 b correspond to the widthof the binding portion 61, and an inner wall of the elongated slot 63 aand the groove portion 63 b are formed with protrusions 63 c, 63 d, 63e, 63 f, 63 g, 63 h for insertion to the three recesses 61 a, 61 b, 61c, 61 e, 61 f, 61 g of the binding body 61. The moving member 63 has afront surface formed with an arc-like recessed groove 63 i.

[0065] Consequently, according to the toothbrush reforming apparatus 60of the seventh embodiment, first, one side of the binding body 61, whichis bent at the center, that is, at the arc-like portion 61 h and has amidsection facing each other, is detached from the groove portion 63 bformed in the moving member 63; both ends of the binding body 61 isslightly widened; then maintaining such state, the distal end of a brushportion of a toothbrush is supported upon the supporting portion 62comprised of the left supporting portion 64 and the right supportingportion 65 so as to place the brush of the brush portion into thebinding portion 61. Subsequently, the one side of the binding body 61detached from the moving member 63 is reattached in a manner shown inFIG. 17, and then, the moving member 63 is moved in a direction to thefront side. Accordingly, the brush can be bound by the binding body 61and the moving member 63. Therefore, the toothbrush reforming apparatus60 having the foregoing structure can also easily bind a brush of atoothbrush.

[0066] Although the toothbrush reforming apparatus 60 of the seventhembodiment has been described with having the supporting portion 62formed only at the front side of the binding portion 61 for supportingthe brush portion of the toothbrush, the supporting portion of thisinvention is not to be restricted to be singularly formed, but couldalso be formed as two supporting portions, as a toothbrush reformingapparatus 70 of an eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 20. That is, thetoothbrush reforming apparatus 70 of the eighth embodiment is comprisedof a belt-like binding portion 71 molded into a belt-like shape, bent ata center, that is, at an arc-like portion 71 a of a rear side to becomeshaped into a substantially U letter or V letter form, and formed withboth ends thereof positioned at a front side; a first supporting portion72 formed at a midsection of the binding portion 71 on the front side; asecond supporting portion 73 formed at the midsection on the rear side;and a moving member 74. In the binding portion 71, a narrow-widthportion 71 b is formed at a midsection on the rear side as in thetoothbrush reforming apparatus 6 of the seventh embodiment; a midsectionof one end of the binding portion 71 is molded into an arc shape; and aprotrusion 71 c is formed on the one end thereof. In the same manner, amidsection of the other end of the binding portion 71 is molded into anarc shape, and a recess 71 d is formed on the other end thereof forinsertion with the protrusion 71 c. As shown in FIG. 21, the firstsupporting portion 72 is comprised of a left supporting portion 75 and aright supporting portion 76 in the same manner as the supporting portion62 of the seventh embodiment, and the second supporting portion 73 iscomprised of a left supporting portion 77 and a right supporting portion78, as shown in FIG. 23. It is now to be noted that a detail descriptionof the first supporting portion 72 and the second supporting portion 73shall be omitted since the first supporting portion 72 and the secondsupporting portion 73 have a structure basically the same as that of thesupporting portion 62 of the toothbrush reforming apparatus 60 in theseventh embodiment. However, in the toothbrush reforming apparatus 70 ofthe eight embodiment, the position of the top surfaces (supportingposition for the brush portion) of the left and right supporting panelportions 75 a, 76 a of the first supporting portion 72 are formed lowerthan the top surfaces of the left and right supporting panel portions 77a, 78 a of the second supporting portion 72, as shown in FIG. 20.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 23, the moving member 74 is molded into asubstantially planar shape, and has an left groove portion 74 a forinsertion of one side of the binding body 71 at a left side thereof, anda groove portion 74 b with an opening (numeral abbreviated) having awidth substantially the same as that of the narrow-width portion 71 b ofthe binding body 71 at a right side thereof. It is now to be noted thatthe left groove portion 74 a has an opening formed at a lower portionthereof, and a check claw formed at bottom edge of the inner wallthereof. Further, the moving member 74 has a front recessed groove 74 dformed extending from top to bottom at the front of the moving member74, and a rear recessed groove 74 a formed at the rear of the movingmember 74.

[0068] Consequently, according to the toothbrush reforming apparatus 70of the eighth embodiment, the midsection of the binding body 71 isdetached from the moving member 74 through the narrow-width portion 71b; the brush portion is then inserted either from the front side [whenreforming a long (tall) brush B1] or the rear side [when reforming ashort (short) brush B1 ] in state a where the front side is open, asshown in FIG. 24; the midsection of the binding body 71 is then insertedagain through the right groove portion 74 b of the moving member 74; andthe moving member 74 is then moved either toward the front side or therear side so that each of the brushes B1 of the brush portions B of thetoothbrushes can be bound. That is, the toothbrush reforming apparatus70 of the eight embodiment can also provide secure binding with a singletoothbrush reforming apparatus 70 for a toothbrush T having a long brushB1 as well as a tooth brush T having a short brush B2 (e.g. an electrictoothbrush).

[0069] Next, a ninth embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 80 for atoothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The toothbrush reforming apparatus 80 of the ninth embodiment iscomprised of a toothbrush supporting body 81 having a plane shape moldedinto a V letter form, and a binding body 82 molded into a belt-likeshape, as shown in FIG. 25. The toothbrush supporting body 81 has afront side being in an open state and being molded with a plane shape ofa V letter shape, in which the lower portion of the toothbrushsupporting body 81 includes a left supporting portion 81 a forsupporting substantially the left half of a bottom surface of a brushportion of a toothbrush when the front side is in a closed state (asdescribed afterwards), a right supporting portion 81 b for supportingsubstantially the right half of a bottom surface of the brush portionwhen the front side is in a closed state, a left erect portion 81 cerected upward from a left end of the left supporting portion 81 a, aright erect portion 81 d erected upward from a right end of the rightsupporting portion 81 b, a left binding body supporting portion 81 eformed at a top end of the left erect portion 81 c for supporting amidsection of the binding body 82, and a right binding body supportingportion 81 f formed at a top end of the right erect portion 81 d forsupporting a midsection of the binding body 82.

[0070] A left guiding elongated slot 81 g is formed at a front side ofthe left binding body supporting portion 81 e for inserting the bindingbody 82 therethrough, and a right guiding elongated slot 81 h is formedat a front side of the right binding body supporting portion 81 f forinserting the binding body 82 therethrough. A left groove portion 81 iis formed at an inner surface of the left binding body supportingportion 81 e for guiding the binding body 82, and a right groove portion81 j is formed at an inner surface of the right binding body supportingportion 81 f for guiding the binding body 82. Further, one engagementportion 81 k is formed at a front surface of the left binding bodysupporting portion 81 e, and the other engagement portion 811 is formedat a front surface of the right binding body supporting portion 81 f forengaging with the one engagement portion 81 k. Accordingly, thetoothbrush supporting body 81, which had been in an opened state and ina substantially V letter shape, is closed by engaging the one engagementportion 81 k to the other engagement portion 811. When the front side ofthe toothbrush supporting body 81 is in an opened state, the bindingbody 82 is correspondingly opened and molded into a substantially Vletter shape, has a center bent into a arc-like shape, has a midsectionof one end inserted through the left elongated slot 81 g and alongthrough the left groove portion 81 i, and has a midsection of the otherend inserted through the right elongated slot 81 h and along through theright groove portion 81 j. It is now to be noted that both ends of thebinding body 82 are free ends without being fixed by a metal fitting 4as in the binding body 3 of the toothbrush reforming apparatus 1 in thefirst embodiment.

[0071] According to the toothbrush reforming apparatus 80 of the ninthembodiment, a brush portion B of a toothbrush T is inserted from a frontside in a state where the front side is opened, and the one engagementportion 81 k and the other engagement portion 811 are then engaged toeach other for closing the front side of the toothbrush reformingapparatus 80. Accordingly, the brush portion B of the toothbrush T issupported by the left supporting body 81 a and the right supporting body81 b. In such state, the brush is gradually bound at the center of thebinding body 82 (portion bent in a arc-like shape) by drawing forth bothends of the binding body 82. The brush can be completely bound when thebinding body 82 to is drawn forth to a prescribed length. Therefore, thetoothbrush reforming apparatus 80 having the foregoing structure canalso easily and securely bind a brush B1 of a toothbrush.

[0072] Next, a tenth embodiment of a brush reforming apparatus 90 for atoothbrush will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.The toothbrush reforming apparatus 90 of the tenth embodiment has acharacteristic of having a single guiding elongated slot (describedafterwards) formed to a toothbrush supporting body 91. That is, thetoothbrush reforming apparatus 90 is comprised of the toothbrushsupporting body 91 and a belt-like binding body 92, as shown in FIG. 27.As the toothbrush reforming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment asshown in FIG. 5, the toothbrush supporting body 91 is comprised of asupporting portion 91 for supporting a brush portion of a toothbrush, arear side erect portion 91 b erect upward from the rear side of thesupporting portion 91 a, and a binding body supporting portion 91 cformed at a top end of the rear side erect portion 91 b. However, asshown in FIG. 28, the binding body supporting portion 91 c has a singleguiding elongated slot being formed thereto and has two stoppers 93, 94fixed thereto, in which the stoppers 93, 94 are molded into a rod-likeshape for preventing the brush from being caught in the binding body 92(described afterwards). The stoppers 93, 94 are inserted throughinsertion apertures 91 e, 91 f, 91 g, 91 h formed on both side surfacesof the toothbrush supporting body 91. It is now to be noted that thebinding body 92 of the toothbrush supporting body 91 also has guidinggroove portions 91 i, 91 j formed thereto, as the toothbrush reformingapparatus 10 of the second embodiment. The binding body 92 is structuredbasically the same as the binding body 3 of the toothbrush reformingapparatus 10 of the second embodiment except for including elongatedslots 92 a, 92 b, 92 c, 92 d formed from the bent, arc-like shapeddistal end to the proximal end for insertion of the two stoppers 93, 94.

[0073] In the same manner as the toothbrush reforming apparatus (numeralabbreviated) of each of the aforementioned embodiments, the toothbrushreforming apparatus 90 of the tenth embodiment having a single guidingelongated slot 91 d formed thereto can also provide easy and quickbinding of a brush of a brush portion. Further, with the toothbrushreforming apparatus 90, the two stoppers 93, 94 can effectively preventthe bristles of the brush from being caught between the binding body 92and the binding body 92 when the brush of the brush portion is bound bypulling the binding body 92. It is now to be noted that the stoppers 93,94 are not necessarily required to be dually arranged to the toothbrushsupporting body, and that a single stopper (not shown) can also bearranged thereto.

[0074] Consequently, the toothbrush reforming apparatus (numeralabbreviated) of the aforementioned embodiments can provide extremelyeasy and secure binding of a brush B1 formed at a brush portion B of atoothbrush T. More particularly, each of the toothbrush reformingapparatuses (numeral abbreviated) can provide reformation regardless ofthe length of the targeted brush portion B and can also easily reformthe electric toothbrush used in recent years with a plane shape of acircular shape owing to the structure thereof using a movable bindingbody, an endless binding body, or a moving member.

[0075] Although the portions in the above description for each of theembodiments formed at the toothbrush supporting body for inserting thebinding body or the endless binding body therethrough are all formed asthe elongated slot and the groove portion, it is possible for thisinvention to have at least one of either the elongated slot or thegroove portion. Although a single elongated slot 91 d (see FIG. 28) isformed in the toothbrush supporting body 91 for inserting the bindingbody 92 therethrough in respect of the toothbrush reforming apparatus 90of the tenth embodiment, such portion for insertion of the binding body92 is not necessarily required to be formed as the elongated slot 91 d,but can also be a groove portion formed extending from top to bottomthereof. Likewise, the elongated slot (numeral abbreviated) comprisingthe toothbrush reforming apparatus 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 of the first,second, third, and fourth embodiment can instead be altered to a grooveportion formed extending from top to bottom of each binding bodysupporting portion (numeral abbreviated). A binding body or an endlessbinding body can easily be attached to a toothbrush supporting body byaltering to such groove portion.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0076] As apparent from the above description of each embodiment of thisinvention, according to the first invention (invention described inclaim 1), a distal end of a toothbrush is supported by a supportingportion formed to a toothbrush supporting body, and a binding body ismoved in a direction toward the distal end of the toothbrush or in adirection opposite from the distal end of the toothbrush, thereby, abrush portion of a toothbrush is bound by the binding body. Accordingly,the first invention can bind a brush with extreme ease and quickness,and can provide binding whether a brush portion of a toothbrush is longor short. In a state where a brush is bound by the toothbrush reformingapparatus, a method, for example, in which the toothbrush reformingapparatus is applied with boiled water or steeped into hot water, andthen cooled by cold water or the like, can reform the brush into anideal state.

[0077] According to the second invention (invention described in claim2), a toothbrush supporting body is formed with one supporting portionfor supporting a distal end of a toothbrush and another supportingportion also for supporting the distal end of the toothbrush, the onesupporting portion and the other supporting portion are formed differentin terms of the height for providing support, and a belt-like endlessbinding body is provided as a component of the invention, thereby, thesecond invention is not only able to reform a brush portion of variouslength as in the first invention, but is also able to reform a brushportion having a brush (bristles) of various height, in which the distalend of a toothbrush is supported by selecting either the one supportingportion or the other supporting portion for providing securereformation. It is now to be noted that a brush for an electrictoothbrush can also be reformed by forming the height of the onesupporting portion or the other supporting portion in correspondencewith the length of the brush of the electric toothbrush.

[0078] According to the third invention (invention described in claim3), a toothbrush supporting body, which has a supporting member and abinding body supporting member being separated from each other, isformed to be variably adjustable by arranging a supporting portion ofthe supporting member proximal to or distal to one or two guiding grooveportions or a guiding elongated slot, thereby, as in the same manner asthe second invention, the third invention is also able to reform a brushportion having a brush (bristles) of various height, in which the distalend of a toothbrush is supported by selecting either the one supportingportion or the other supporting portion for providing securereformation:

[0079] According to the fourth invention (invention described in claim4), a distal end of a toothbrush is inserted from an open side of anopened toothbrush supporting body; the opened side of the toothbrushsupporting body is then closed, and a belt-like binding body is thenoperated to a direction opposite from the distal end of the toothbrush,thereby, a brush (bristles) of the toothbrush can be bound. Accordingly,as in the same manner as the first invention, this fourth invention canalso provide secure binding of a brush.

[0080] According to the fifth invention (invention described in claim5), one or two guiding groove(s) or the one or two guiding elongatedslot(s) has or have an arc-like or wave-like shape in which the bindingbody or the endless binding body is inserted therethrough, or the one ortwo guiding groove(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s) has aprotrusion formed at a wall thereof or the toothbrush supporting bodyhas a horizontal rod formed at a front surface thereof and the bindingbody or the endless binding body has a recessed groove or an elongatedslot formed thereto to allow insertion of the protrusion or thehorizontal rod through the recessed groove or the elongated slot,thereby, the fifth invention prevents the bristles of a brush from beingcaught into the guiding groove or the guiding elongated slot inoperating with the binding body or the endless binding body and providesecure reformation.

[0081] According to the sixth invention (invention described in claim6), a moving member moves in association with the binding body forbinding the brush; accordingly, the thus structured invention can alsoprovide secure binding of a brush.

1. A brush reforming apparatus for a toothbrush comprising: a toothbrushsupporting body having; a supporting portion supporting at least abottom surface of a distal end of a toothbrush; and one or two guidinggroove portion(s) or one or two guiding elongated slot(s) being formedabove the distal end of the toothbrush supported by the supportingportion; and a binding body having a belt-like shape, the binding bodybeing inserted through the one or two guiding groove portion(s) or theone or two guiding elongated slot(s), and the binding body being bent ata center of the binding body into a U letter, a V letter, or arectangular C letter shape.
 2. A brush reforming apparatus for atoothbrush comprising: a toothbrush supporting body having; onesupporting portion supporting at least a bottom surface of a distal endof a toothbrush; other supporting portion being formed opposite to aposition where the one supporting portion is formed, the othersupporting portion supporting at least the bottom surface of the distalend of the toothbrush, and the other supporting portion supporting fromat a position above or below a supporting position of the one supportingportion; and one or two guiding groove portion(s) or one or two guidingelongated slot(s) being formed between the one supporting portion andthe other supporting portion, and being formed above the distal end ofthe toothbrush supported by the one supporting portion or the othersupporting portion; and an endless binding member having a belt-likeshape and being inserted through the one or two guiding grooveportion(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s).
 3. The brushreforming apparatus for a toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, whereinthe toothbrush supporting body has a supporting member formed with asupporting portion supporting at least a bottom surface of a distal endof the toothbrush, and a binding body supporting member being attachableto the supporting member while having the one or two guiding grooveportion(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s) formed thereto;and wherein the supporting member and the binding body supporting memberare attached variably and adjustably for arranging a position of asupporting portion formed in the supporting member and a position of theone or two guiding groove portion(s) or the one or two guiding elongatedslot(s) separate from or proximate to each other.
 4. A brush reformingapparatus for a toothbrush comprising: a toothbrush supporting bodyhaving; a supporting portion having a plane shape molded into asubstantially V letter shape, the supporting portion having an open sidethereof being closable, the supporting portion supporting a bottomsurface of a distal end of a toothbrush during a closed state; oneguiding groove portion or one guiding elongated slot formed on one sideof the open side; other guiding groove portion or other guidingelongated slot formed on the other side of the open side; and a bindingbody having a belt-like shape, the binding body being bent at a centerthereof into an arc-like shape; the binding body having a midsection onone end thereof for insertion through the one guiding groove portion orthe one guiding elongated slot; and the binding body having a midsectionon the other end thereof for insertion through the other guiding grooveportion or the other guiding elongated slot.
 5. The brush reformingapparatus for a toothbrush according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein theone or two guiding groove(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s)has or have an arc-like or wave-like shape in which the binding body orthe endless binding body is inserted therethrough, or the one or twoguiding groove(s) or the one or two guiding elongated slot(s) has aprotrusion formed at a wall thereof or the toothbrush supporting bodyhas a horizontal rod formed at a front surface thereof and the bindingbody or the endless binding body has a recessed groove or an elongatedslot formed thereto to allow insertion of the protrusion or thehorizontal rod through the recessed groove or the elongated slot.
 6. Abrush reforming apparatus for a toothbrush comprising: a binding body oran endless binding body having a belt-like shape, and a midsection bentin an arc-like shape to form an arc-like portion; a supporting portionbeing fixed proximate to the arc-like portion of the binding body or theendless binding body, and supporting at least a bottom surface of adistal end of a toothbrush; and a moving member being movable in adirection toward the supporting portion or a direction opposite from thesupporting portion while being guided by the binding body or the endlessbinding body, the moving member being formed with an elongated slot or agroove portion for inserting the binding body or the endless bindingbody therethrough.